Experiments in crossing two strains of Anopheles barbirostris van der Wulp 1884 (Diptera: Culicidae) in Thailand.

ABSTRACT

Crossing experiments between two strains of Anopheles (Anopheles) barbirostris from Chumphon and Chon Buri provinces in Thailand were done by induced copulation in order to determine the genetic relationship. On comparison of the F1 hybrids and those of their parent species as the control, there was a difference in the number of eggs laid, hatchability and viability. The low viability of the F1 hybrids with high larval and pupal mortalities, producing only a few F hybrids, and the fact that F1 hybrids' salivary chromosome showed asynapsis suggest there exists reproductive isolations between both strains. The data presented suggest that these two strains exhibit possible presence of a species complex in An. barbirostris.